I was hooked straight from the beginning, so much so I'm going to read the full books.
Straight the way we are pulled into a barely inhabitable freezing landscape, which our fmc is surviving alone. We hear of the bleak surroundings and the fights for what is considered highly tradable resources. A yawning casm that takes lives and only makes the frozen landscape more dire. Then to top it all off, winged creatures that come bearing gifts of resources, yet their payment is death upon being selected in the culling that takes place.

Truly magnificent, I can't wait to read the full book.

The first few chapters of Ledge truly don’t do this book justice. This book is haunting and eerie and full of heart stopping twists and turns for our fierce FMC, Dawsyn. After reading the whole book, this sampler gives us a glimpse into the world of the Ledge without spoiling too much for us. It’s absolutely a great read and worth diving into the series,

I’m excited to grab this book! The sample has truly piqued my interest.

I appreciate NetGalley for sharing an exclusive sample.

With a slow burning romance, high stakes and even higher rewards, this richly created new fantasy series by popular TikToker Stacey McEwan will keep you gripped to the very end.

Content warnings: gratuitous violence & death; death of a minor; suicide; attempted sexual assault:

Wow! I am surprised how much these first couple of chapters really pulled me in! Stacey McEwan has such a vivid writing style, and it's easy to picture the world we're introduced to within this sampler. These 15 or so pages have left me intrigued, and I'm eager to finish this book and continue the series.

I loved the cosy aspect that came with this story, it is the perfect novel to curl up with on a snowy day. I fell in love with the characters, the plot and the fast paced story, I wish we delved further into a romance though!

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read this eARC sample!

I was pulled in by the cover, but really found myself interested in the book description. In Chapter 1 I found myself almost immediately creating questions about Dawsyn and the world around her. I could picture myself in this arctic world, clawing over others trying to salvage what I could of the drop.

The drop is actually one of the things I found to be most interesting! I could not think of another book that had that aspect that I have read recently.

Stacey’s writing felt very poetic as I moved into Chapter 2. I felt lonely reading about Dawsyn. I could feel her inner isolation. I was actually quite surprised at Dawsyn’s interaction with Hector. I was expecting her to be more reserved when she entered his cabin, but I felt that reservation in her connection with Hector.

I think these were great opening chapters and have me interested in learning more about the series!

The first two chapters of Ledge engross you. The main character is introduced, a bit of the world-building and the book's settings are established, and the potential antagonists are alluded to.

The author's writing is phenomenal so far - the style is engaging, concise, and holds the reader's attention. The first sentence captures your attention and pulls you into the book.

The main character is likeable thus far and some of her personality is already evident - she is strong, independent, and generous. The world-building at this point is unique which makes this book even more fascinating.

I really enjoyed the first two chapters and will be reading the rest of the series as soon as possible! Thank you so much for the Netgalley eBook preview.

This sample has definitely left me wanting more. I’ve been a fan of Stacey McEwan since tiktok, I love her content, skits and genuine personality, and I’ve been on the most noble quest of hunting down her Glacian trilogy, because access to English books in my country is limited to like 3 sites and since they’re imports they ca be very expensive, however she kindly sent me an ARC for her new book A Forbidden Alchemy and I absolutely loved it, it’s one of my favorite reads so far this year, her writing style is so immersive and gripping and rich and gritty, and this sample was no exception. I’ll definitely, now more than before after reading this, be on the hunt for this trilogy, because I’m so hooked, I need more!

Thank you Angry Robot, NetGalley & Stacey McEwan for this sample.

But 2 chapters how dare you tease me like that? I have questions! My curiosity will be haunting me until i get my hands on the full series.

The opening chapters of Ledge pulled me into a bleak, frozen world where survival feels like a fragile thread. The atmosphere felt harsh, chilling, and raw—reminding me a bit of The Hunger Games when people were clamouring over the little rations provided.
The tension felt immediate. Every action felt ike it has life-or-death consequences, which makes the pacing tight and addictive.
Stacey McEwan’s writing is crisp and unflinching, painting the cruel environment and Dawsyn’s loneliness without drowning the reader in heavy descriptions. I especially liked how Dawsyn’s inner strength and bitter humor peek through, making her instantly relatable despite the extreme setting.
The first two chapters do a great job setting a dark, icy tone while introducing a strong-willed heroine and an intriguing mystery. I’m curious to see where the story and its mysteries will lead. Definitely a promising start!

ARC Sampler Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - SAMPLER included: First two chapters of Ledge.

This did exactly what a Sampler should do. Gave you enough to want more and I do. A dark and desperate people struggling to survive. The FMC seems to be a fighter and ready for the battle that is increasingly inevitable. This screams, nothing is what it seems to me. I have no outside knowledge of this story other than what was given to through this sampler.

I have seen this book more and more recently, with the newest addition to the series coming out soon, I can see why. I now have to add this book to my TBR.

Thank you the NerdFam and Angry Robot for this ARC!

This is an older release but filled with so much intrigue! I read straight through without stopping and almost immediatey bought the book! Dawsyn, an ax-wielding survivor from a civilizationtrapped on a frozen plateau called the Ledge. When she's chosen as a human sacrifice to the winged Glacians, she's taken to their
city and discovers they use human souls to fuel a magical elixir. Dawsyn must escape and save her people with the help of a half-Glacian, Ryon, while navigating a dangerous world and a budding romance.

At first glance, Ledge seems to follow familiar dystopian fantasy lines: an oppressed people, a cruel supernatural force, and a heroine with hidden strength. But what sets McEwan’s debut apart is how unapologetically raw it is. Dawsyn is what Katniss might’ve been with an axe and no cameras.
The world-building is stark and simple, but that works in favor of the story’s tone. There’s no comfort here. No sun. Just cold. You feel it in every scene, a constant presence that isolates and drives every decision.

This was a great little sampler. I hadn't heard of these books before this so I'm happy I had the chance to read a snippet of book one before committing. I'll admit there was a lot of info at once, I had to go back and read paragraphs but overall, from what I read, it sounds like a good series for sure!

Oh My God!!! This is my first anything by Stacey and I am not disappointed!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 it captures you since the first lines and it keeps you on your toes, the story is interesting and well written! Can’t wait for the rest🙌🏼!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a sample of the book Ledge. Please note I was able to read the first 25 pages and this is not a review of the entire book.

Ledge by Stacey McEwan is an atmospheric read. The world building, plot, and characters are introduced right at the beginning of the book making the reader want to continue on to the next chapter to see what is going to happen next. I enjoyed the word choices that the author used to help create the visuals for the world. I appreciated that there were not a bunch of characters introduced right at the beginning of the book making it easy to follow.

There is a very short spice scene in the sample - would recommend for a new adult or adult reader.

Tropes: New Adult Romantasy, Enemies to Lovers, High Fantasy.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of From Blood and Ash. Our MMC is a human sacrifice, that is going to be whisked away to a magical icy land with winged monsters. Sounds so good!

UPDATED 6/11/25
I finished Ledge in its entirety and have started Chasm. Ledge had a great and engaging start and some unique ideas. As expected by the obvious direction, Dawsyn Sabar is Selected and taken to Glacia kingdom. We learn a little about what has been happening to the Ledve folks who get Selected, some being enslaved and made to serve the Glacian purebloods, others having the life drained out of them. We are also introduced to the Glacian politics and social hierarchy and introduced to the idea of half breeds, a product of human and Glacian coupling. Its a great origin story that tells how the people of the Ledge got to the Ledge, where they came from and what the world knows or believes about the Ledge people and the Glacians. There were some turns I expected and some that I did not expect. I enjoyed the banter we see with Salem, Esra and Baltisse, enjoyed getting to know Ryon and even getting to know and understand Dawsyn better. The book ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, though not as devastating as some cliffhangers I've endured. This one was almost expected and didnt draw any gasps or clutching of invisible pearls. Maybe it helped that I had Chasm queued and ready to go.

That said, while I enjoyed the book and characters, I will leave my review at 3 stars. It was good, had a couple angles I didnt expect and the rest was comfortably predictable. I like Dawsyn as a character and expect a lot from her in Chasm. Ryon peaks my curiosity but I dont entirely love him and would have preffered the cliffhanger have been permanent for true emotional impact. I can't wait to see what Dawsyn Sabar does next and watch her become the woman she is meant to be.

ORIGINAL REVIEW
Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for the first two chapters of Ledge. I will provide a casual and brief review here, but as it's only two chapters, will refrain from posting reviews on my goodreads, Amazon and Instagram until I finish the entire book.

"The cold is cruel, but it is not alive ... the Ledge does not reward the meek." - Dawsyn Sabar

"The hostages who live there never leave, for the Ledge is perched against the edge of a great Chasm." - Dawsyn Sabar

"It isn't uncommon to find a famiky member here one day, gone the next." - Dawsyn Sabar

To start, I have purchased the first book on Amazon. I don't feel that it's fair to post this review elsewhere because it could end up being a 5 star read, or a 1 star read. I cannot tell from the first two chapters of Ledge but the premise is promising.

Dawsyn Sabar is a captive of the frozen blizards found on the Ledge. The last surviving member of her family, she fights for survival with an animalistic need but as the years of solitude build up, she begins to wonder if it's worth fighting or why she keeps fighting.

Also introduced is Hector, who isn't as ruthless as Dawsyn and therefore gets pushed around by other members of the Ledge. He's introduced as a potential romantic partner, but their connection seems more out of necessity than desire. Lust instead of love.

I rate the first 2 chapters 2.5 to 3 stars and offer a casual review instead of my typical Academic Stylistic reviews because I felt 2 chapters isn't enough to know whether the book will be a low star or high star. The most positive thing I can offer in the review is that I have purchased Ledge to continue the story on my own time, and when complete, shall post the review of the entire book on my socials and amazon.

I enjoyed the first two chapters of this book and the description of the book I found interesting when looking to sample this. I enjoyed the writing and the introduction to the main character, Dawsyn, but I’m not sure if this is something I’m wishing to continue reading at the moment as unsure if the plot is for me? I’m very much a mood reader so may be something I’ll look to pick up in the future.

Although I did enjoy the opening of this book I quickly lost interest in the entire thing. This was due to a few things - I felt the magic system was strange, world building was lacking and the characters were very one dimensional and not really relatable. Dawsyn was not my favourite at all. But I struggle with insta-lust/love situations. And I don't like the whole super strong female lead that shouldn't be that strong. I mean, I get overcoming odds. What I don't get is when its not simply overcoming odds but being somehow superhuman and unrealistic. But then again, it is fantasy so....maybe? I don't know.

In the end I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped I would but I didn't just hate it with a passion like some books I read.

This was a solid fantasy debut! Ledge throws you into a cold, brutal world right away, and the survival element definitely kept me hooked in the beginning. Dawsyn is a strong, no-nonsense protagonist, and I liked her determination and resilience. The romance felt a little predictable, but I still enjoyed the banter and tension between her and Ryon.

The pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, but it picked back up toward the end, and that cliffhanger? Brutal. I’m definitely interested to see where the series goes next.

Overall, not a perfect book, but an entertaining and easy read for fans of enemies-to-lovers and fantasy survival stories. Would recommend to fans of ACOTAR or The Frostblood Saga.